A GROUP of Lucknow University (LU) tough necks led by student union general secretary Vinod Tripathi assaulted a head constable on the campus on Monday noon.

A GROUP of Lucknow University (LU) tough necks led by student union general secretary Vinod Tripathi assaulted a head constable on the campus on Monday noon.

The cop had objected to one of Tripathi’s aides barging into UCO Bank, forcing bank employees to give admission forms after scheduled time. A case was registered against three named students including Tripathi and 40 others. They were booked under various Sections of the IPC besides (7) Criminal Amendment Law Act.

Meanwhile, supporters of the general secretary gathered outside the Vice-Chancellor’s residence in the evening, demanding withdrawal of the case against the student leader.

The incident took place at the entrance of the UCO Bank near varsity’s gate no-1 around 2.10 pm. Forms for admissions to various classes were being distributed from the bank since morning. Since the time was over, the bank employees closed the channel gate barring entry of students.

Meanwhile, a student arrived there and started forcing the employees to open the gate. As the bank employees refused and asked the student to come later, the youth tried to force himself through the gate.

Head constable Dharmendra Shukla deputed at the bank gate initially asked the youth to go away and later, slapped him a couple of times to put some sense into him. The youth was later detained by the cop.

About 15 minutes later, general secretary Vinod Tripathi arrived at the bank accompanied by over three dozen supporters. Tripathi tried to take the erring youth with him but Shukla objected. Following a heated exchange, Tripathi and his aides assaulted Shukla.

Meanwhile, PAC men deployed a few yards away, came to know about the incident and ran to the scene. Seeing the police force Tripathi and his aides ran away.

Later, senior officials too rushed to the varsity. A case against Tripathi, Pawan Singh, Anand Singh and 40 others was registered but no arrest was made till late in the night.